I am frequently asked about natural therapies to help with anemia, and my first question is always, “What kind of anemia?” There are various types of anemia, therefore it is important to understand what the body needs for each one. 

Posthemorrhagic anemia is a condition that develops when a large amount of blood is lost quickly. This situation is easily remedied by restoring the lost blood supply. If replacement resources are not available then it is important to give the body what it needs to make more blood, which the body is capable of accomplishing. To make blood we must supply large quantities of water and chlorophyll rich foods. Green leafy vegetables are loaded with chlorophyll and juicing them would allow us to quickly intake large quantities of blood building chlorophyll. Wheat grass juice is fantastic, and may I suggest Dr. Christopher’s Jurassic Green formula, which is the next best thing to fresh grass juices.

The most common anemia is from iron deficiency and is resolved by consuming iron rich foods. Dr. Christopher often suggested black strap molasses, apricots, legumes, beets, and the herbs found in his Herbal Iron Formula. If this doesn’t raise iron levels fast enough, then our local midwives suggest desiccated liver. One of my favorite iron rich foods is raw cacao. It is also important to build the blood using chlorophyll, as mentioned above, because chlorophyll builds strong blood cells capable of carrying iron. 

Folate-deficiency anemia occurs when there is a lack of folate or folic acid. This deficiency causes the body to produce abnormally large blood cells that do not function properly. Simply consuming abundant folate rich foods like green leafy vegetables will help correct this issue and give the body the necessary nutrients to build healthy, functioning blood cells. 

Pernicious anemia occurs when the body is not able to absorb and utilize vitamin B-12. This type of anemia is becoming more common and is not as easy to resolve because simply adding B-12 to the diet does not mean that the body is able to utilize it. B-12 assimilation is dependent on various other factors, including a gastric hormone named intrinsic factor. If this hormone is not present, most of the B-12 in the body cannot be utilized. The most common B-12 deficiencies are the result of intrinsic factor deficiency. The body’s inability to provide intrinsic factor can be caused by several reasons, but is principally the destruction of the gastric mucosa, due to chronic inflammation or an auto-immune disease, like Crohn’s disease. Other factors that contribute to the body’s inability to provide intrinsic factor include infections, drugs like anti-biotics, anti-seizure medication, proton pump inhibitors, anti-acids, and surgical removal of all or part of the stomach. Restoration therapy would include Dr. Christopher’s formulas Immucalm, Soothing Digestion, and Complete Tissue and Bone.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency also occurs because neither plants nor animals make this nutrient. It is produced by micro-organisms, like nutritional yeast, mushrooms, seaweeds like chlorella, spirulina, and the most reliable source is nori. Most nutritionists recommend eating animal foods to supply Vitamin B-12. The B-12 that accumulates in animal products is obtained from animals eating dirty food. The dirt on the food harbors micro-organisms that produce the B-12. Some of the vegetables we eat can contain Vitamin B-12 if the plants were raised with organic fertilizer, which will propagate the bacteria that produces B-12. All animals, including humans, harbor friendly bacteria that produce Vitamin B-12 in our colons; this is available to us, unless we are given antibiotics which destroy these beneficial bacteria.

Sideroblastic anemia is characterized by the presence of immature red blood cells. The kidneys recognize the problem and send the signal to the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, but again supply immature red blood cells, creating congested bone marrow. This anemia can be caused by a defect in the X chromosome or be caused from chemotherapy type drugs. The solution, of course is to stop the drugs if it is the cause and eat a good diet high in B-complex vitamins especially B-6. Foods high in vitamin B-6 include (but are not limited to) chickpeas, bananas, avocados, nuts, squash, sunflower seeds, Brussel sprouts and tahini.

Our creator didn’t leave us defenseless, and our best defense in living an abundant healthy life is using his natural protocols.

David Christopher is a Master Herbalist, director of The School of Natural Healing, and son of our beloved Dr. John R. Christopher. He is continually helping others improve their health and that of their family members. The School loves having him as the director. 

References 

Corwin, Elizabeth. Handbook of Pathophysiology. Philadelphia, Lippincott-Raven, 1996. 

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/vitamin-b12-deficiency-anemia